The Brambles

This book is so lushly written that you can't help but feel as though you are watching these characters' lives unfold from their kitchen windows. It feels like they are your friends, especially Margaret. Max is a sweet guy, whose heart is in the right place. Edie, I didn't care so much for. The plot twist is surprising, if not a bit humorous with the running joke throughout the novel, and a little far fetched, but it doesn't hurt the book in any way. This is a five star read all the way. There are so many little details that Minot gives that toy with your emotions. Things that a lot of authors would leave out or wouldn't think of to begin with that really give this book an added realism. I was sad when it ended, but will definitely look for more books from this author.

I've been a fan of Eliza Minot's since THE TINY ONE was published, and I'd just about given up hope that she'd come through with another novel. THE BRAMBLES was worth waiting for. It has been mentioned in other reviews, but I can't help adding that Minot's description of suburban motherhood is freaky in its perception and accuracy. Her observations are complex and funny and if you're someone who happens to have a sister who's also a suburban mother, it's just about impossible to not put the book down to call her and say, "Just listen to this paragraph!" The book's not perfect--a surprise at the end felt more tacked-on than organic. But I've been recommending this book far and wide, as it is just spot on: in its portrayal of the modern family, the experience of losing a parent, the daily grind and joy of caring for a young family, and the subtle manipulations of sibling relationships. I really, really hope the wait isn't quite so long for the next one.

Eliza Minot writes about life, love and death with a refreshing lack of sentiment and a great deal of wisdom. This is a novel about a family that catches your attention because of their attachment to one another, and the humor with which they manage and struggle with their lives. The final scene is brightly lit. It will make you want to be there.

OK, I know she's my baby sister-- but this novel made me laugh out loud as well as cry. It is a triumph, describing the ups and downs of mothering little children-- and saying good bye to a beloved parent. Dont miss this. My husband, a successful businessman, put this book down after he finished, and said "I havent accomplished anything with my life." Read it.

I am nearly all of the way through THE BRAMBLES and feel compelled to write a review because it continually delights and fascinates me, and I just can't stay silent about it any longer! The descriptions throughout the story are enviable and the plot development continues to hold onto you. This is a story about the Bramble family and the tragedies they've endured as well as the delightful experiences they've shared. There's a reality to it that makes me feel at home with Margaret and Edie and Max and their parents and their kids. There is nothing ordinary about these lives and yet it's easily believed. You can relate to these people and you might even know them in your own life. I especially enjoy the way Ms. Minot describes their lives in sidebars, pulling you back and over and through the waves. If you, as I do, enjoy stories about people's lives, then you'll find yourself happily immersed in this story within minutes. Enjoy!